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The following provides data on the Cowans in the United States, organized by Regional Tapestries. The focus of such Tapestries lies with persons who settled along the Great Road prior to or immediately following the American Revolution. Because some patriarchs moved from area to area, they may appear in the listing under different Tapestries. "Groups" represent the various YDNA groups to which various patriarchal Cowan's have been assigned in the Cowan YDNA project. If YDNA evidence for a descendant of one of these Patriarchs is known, that fact is highlighted with the "DNA Helix" graphic, and the appropriate kit number(s) identified.

After the Revolution David came to Sevier County TN from Southwest Virginia, where he lived in Castle's Woods. Prior to that he was living in Albemarle County, VA, in close association with the Woods family.

William came to Blount County before 1792, from Southwest Virginia, where he lived in Castle's Woods with his kinsmen Person:David Cowan (1) and Person:John Cowan (12). John came with him to Blount County, while David settled nearby in Sevier County.

Smoky Mountains

There are several separate lines of Cowans who settled within the broad Smoky Mountain Tapestry area either during or shortly after the Revolution. Most of these Cowan's seem to be related to the Seven Cowan Brothers, and share a relatively recent, but unknown common ancestor. There are also persons who trace to the Sullivan County and Knoxville merchant lineages

Robert married Susannah Woods in Botetourt County, VA, sometime before 1776. During the Revolution he moved south into what is now Greene County, TN, dying there between 1789 (last property purchase) and 1797 (when sons sell his property). He had several sons who either remained in Jefferson County, or moved south, first to Blount County, and then to Franklin County by 1800.

Document. Land record for sons of Robert Cowan, Washington County, TN, 1799 identify an Andrew Cowan and others receiving land once owned by Robert Cowan (10). Andrew is presumed to be a son of Robert 10. At the time of the land transaction he is said to be of Blount County TN. He presumably moved there shortly after the Revolution with his brothers and kinsman Samuel Handley, and other kinsmen, who settled in the Nine-Mile Creek area. Several members of this extended family later moved to Franklin, TN.

Andrew Cowan, of Jefferson County, TN. Andrew is known to have been previous married, based on court records where children by his first wife appear to contest the distribution of the estate. His first wife is commonly identified as Mary Walker, daughter of John Walker III, but there is no original source documentation to support this.

William came to Blount County before 1792, from Southwest Virginia, where he lived in Castle's Woods with his kinsmen Person:David Cowan (1) and Person:John Cowan (12). John came with him to Blount County, while David settled nearby in Sevier County.

This line is descended from Person:Robert Cowan (10) who died in Greene County TN about 1784. Several of his sons, John, Robert, Samuel, and Andrew Cowan, and soninlaw Samuel Handley settled near Nine Mile Creek in the western division of Blount County. Some members of this line would later moved to Franklin County TN, west of Chattanoga. Dr. James B. Cowan, whose genealogical letters figure prominently deciphering in Cowan family history (for better or ill), belong to this line. YDNA evidence indicates that this line is related to that of William (12), David (1), and John (12), but the nature of that relationship is unknown. Both Groups seem to be related to the Cowans who settled in Beverley Manor and in Albemarle County, during the middle 1730's.

John settled in Old 96 by about 1763. His will shows that at the time of his death he lived on property on both sides of the Savannah River. This is consistent with the idea that he operated Cowans Ferry on the Svannah River, though the exact location of that feature is uncertain.

Marriage to Hannah Woods based on Michael Woods Age Book, gives DOM as 24 Dec. 1767 in SC. Probably came to SC with Michael Woods, who gives "We left Virginia Oct. 11, 1764 and settled on the Savannah River Jan. 3, 1765." Petitioned for land in Granville Co Dec. 1767, and in Abbeville Co in 1798 on Rocky River.